THOU so to deepest heart the hope divine
Hast taken, that it blossoms forth anew;
And lo! a vision opens on our view—
A Virgin other than of Judah's line.
No maiden waking to the golden shine,
The spring-tide sun of joy undreamt, undue;
This maid hath known to wait and learnt to sue—
A weary woman watching for a sign.

The burthen of the world is on her heart,
Her eyes have seen its sorrow, wept its sin;
She heedeth not the angel for her part,
Feeling the witness of the life within:
The hope grown quick, the miracle of birth,
The living love that shall redeem the earth.